The spread of the novel coronavirus has reached pandemic levels, according to the World Health Organization.
The WHO generally defines a pandemic as a disease that has become widespread around the world. On March 9, it had said the new virus was close to becoming a pandemic.
The declaration was made at a briefing Wednesday afternoon by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Almost 75% of U.S. businesses have experienced supply chain disruption as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a survey by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) of 628 individuals conducted between February 22 and March 5. This comes after a survey by Thomas found 60% of North American manufacturers say operations have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, based on responses from 755 manufacturing company employees conducted in mid-February.
Source: Supply Chain Dive
In a few weeks America will catch a glimpse of a boxship in excess of 20,000 teu for the first time as drastic measures are put in place around the world to reposition containers in the wake of the coronavirus that has stifled supply chains.
Alphaliner is reporting MSC is set to redeploy the 23,756 teu MSC Mia, which currently holds the joint record as the world’s largest container vessel, as well as the 23,656 teu MSC Nela from the Asia-Europe trades onto the transpacific in services it operates with Maersk as part of the pair’s 2M vessel sharing agreement.
Source: The Loadstar
The number of new blank sailings of container shipping has started to taper off amid the impact of the coronavirus, a sign that carriers can expect demand ramping up back to normal levels over the next few weeks, according to analyst Sea-Intelligence.
Sea-Intelligence data indicated that the weekly measurement of carriers’ blank sailings out of China show that the coronavirus impact is now subsiding.
Source: Seatrade Maritime News
From 1 April, Oman will no longer accept paper air waybills. As part of the country’s e-policy, all AWB data must be submitted electronically. The move is part of an attempt to help facilitate and develop Customs services. The Royal Oman Police urged all logistics, transport and handling companies to file within Oman’s electronic Bayan system, according to Times of Oman.
Source: The Loadstar
Airfreight volume fell 3.3% year-over-year (YoY) in January, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Airfreight demand was down YoY for all of 2019 and the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak won't show up until the February numbers are released next month, IATA said.
Source: Supply Chain Dive
